April 2014 Newsletter

Despite the historically cold temperatures, activities at the

winery have kept us warm...

Heart & HandsWine Company

Despite the historically cold temperatures, activities at the

winery have kept us warm...

Heart & HandsWine Company

Heart & Hands Wine Company4162 State Route 90

Union Springs, NY 13160

Tasting Room Hours:Friday - Sunday - Noon - 5pm

Monday - �ursday - By Appointment(315) 889-8500

info@heartandhandswine.com

www.heartandhandswine.com

Each year as harvest winds down, we welcome the arrival of winter in the Finger Lakes. While we are not fans of harsh weather (especially this year), we do enjoy having a bit of extra time on our hands. Each year we use this time to recharge, tend vines and wines, and plan for the year ahead. Now that the snow has melted and spring is beginning, we are taking steps to bring these plans to fruition! We are particularly excited about what 2014 will bring in our tasting room and cellars, and look forward to sharing this with you!

Cheers! Tom & Susan

Budbreak is just around the corner...

VINEYARDUPDATE4

CELLARDWELLING5

MEDIAMENTIONS7

WINERY DOGWHISPERS10

CURRENTOFFERINGS11

A WORD OFTHANKS14

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One top priority winter task is pruning the vines for the upcoming season.

WINERY DOGWHISPERS

Vineyard Update Estate Vineyard Progress: When the pace of wine-tasting tourism tra�c slows during the winter months, our attention shi�s to o�-season care and tend-ing of the grapevines. �e �rst winter activity in the vineyard is the pruning the vines - where we remove the growth from the prior year, maintain the form of the vine, and allow each vine to concentrate energy into production of the next vintage’s canes, leaves, and fruit. Now that temperatures are rising, and vines are becoming more pliable, we are busy tying each of the remaining vines to the fruiting wire where they will produce the fruit for 2014.

2014 Winter Weather - A Challenge to the Region:A�er a long, cold winter, where we heard the term “polar vortex” enough to last a lifetime, the most common question from visitors is: “Has this unusually cold weather done any damage to the vines?”

Vinifera grapes become suseptible to damage between -8 and -14° F, and the region certainly experienced temperatures within and below this range. Some weather stations around the region reported temperatures lower than -20°F.

We are fortunate to report that our proximity to the warm waters of Cayuga Lake seems to have provided us with enough winter protection. Initial samples from our estate vines show minimal impact, and now we wait for bud break and bloom, to get a better sense of this year’s yields.

�e Finger Lakes region is large and diverse terrain, and vine-yard sites are located at many di�erent altitudes and proximities to the protective lakeshore, so the impact felt across the region will vary widely - with some sites and varieties of grapes being a�ected more than others.

Please click the link below to learn more about the winter impact on the region:

Wine Spectator Report on Finger Lakes Winter

http://www.winespectator.com/webfeature/show/id/49738

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2013 VintageAt the time of our last update, all of the grapes had been harvested and fermented, and we were just beginning to catch our breath a�er a bountiful vintage. �e 2013 vintage deliv-ered a bumper crop with high yields across the board from our estate vineyard and all of our growers.

Pinot Noir: �e 2013 Pinot Noir vintage is resting quietly in the barrel room. During the winter months, the wines are periodically smelled, tasted, and “topped up” to ensure that everything is proceeding according to plan. At present, malolactic fermen-tations are complete, and in early summer we will begin tast-ing through each individual barrel to make some preliminary decisions on the selections for the 2013 vintage.

Riesling:

It is hard to believe, but we are only a few weeks away from blending and bottling the 2013 Rieslings! Tom is in the process of doing the sensory evaluations on a myriad of small lot selections from each of our Riesling vineyards, and the rest of us are looking forward to tasting the sample wines that he creates!

�is year is particularly exciting, as we will bottle and release the �rst Riesling grown on the Heart & Hands estate vineyard!

Cel lar Dwel l ing

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2012 Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir

As each day passes, we grow closer and closer to the first release of our estate grown Pinot Noir! The 2012 vintage was simply beautiful, yielding nine barrels of Pinot Noir grown on our estate vineyard, comprised of seven different Dijon clones of Pinot Noir. The first Estate-Grown Pinot Noir will be released in 2014 - stay tuned for the release date!

6�e latest vintage of Pinot Noir resting in our cellar.

Media Mentions

�e Prince of Pinot, aka William “Rusty” Ga�ney, recently reviewed several of our current Pinot Noirs in his PinotFile, a ~ twice monthly publication dedicated solely to the beauty that is Pinot Noir!

�e review included the three Single Vineyard Pinot Noirs produced in 2011 from Elaine’s Vineyard (88 points), Hobbit Hollow Vineyard (89 points), and Patrician Verona Vineyard (90 points); the 2010 Barrel Reserve Pinot Noir (93 points) along with Rusty’s observations on the potential for Pinot Noir in the region:

“…Tom is one of a small group of dedicated vintners making strides with Pinot Noir in this very cool growing region. Along the banks of the Finger Lakes there are sites that are ideal for Pinot Noir, with soils redolent of Onondaga formation limestone and outcroppings of shale. �e proximity of the vineyards to the lakes and the gently sloping sites o�er vineyards protection �om harsh winter weather...”

2010 Barrel Reserve Pinot Noir

Light reddish-salmon color in the glass. Strikingly aromatic with hi-tone scents of red berries, red cher-ries, brown spice, molasses, beet root and spice. Very elegant and charming with a tasteful array of fruits including red cherries, red raspberries and cran-berries. Wonderful whole cluster spice and a hint of root beer. Modest in weight with balanced tannins, a bright acid backbone and a wholesome finish of some persistence. Very exotic and interesting. At the end of the day, when I had a dozen opened wines to choose from, many of which were from California, this was the wine I chose to drink before and with dinner. Score: 93

To enjoy the full article, please visit: http://www.princeofpinot.com/article/1441/

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Heart & Hands Wines being poured atWorld of Pinot Noir earlier this March.

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Our new Swiss Mountain Dog, Caliza,feels right at home romping in the snow.9

A�er the loss of our beloved canine companion, Fíon last fall, our hearts were heavy, and the winery was far too empty and quiet. While nothing could replace our sweet girl, in Decem-ber, we started to think about taking some initial steps to �nd a Swiss Mountain Dog puppy.

�e process can take between 6 months and a year, so we were expecting quite a wait, but a series of serendipitous events led to the arrival of a bounding bundle of energy in early January. We decided to name her “Caliza” - which is the spanish word for limestone - a �tting name for a pup who will spend plenty of hours romping through the rocky soils of our vineyard!

Caliza is now 9 months old, and is now learning the ropes in the tasting room, cellar and vine-yard. A�er enjoying 3 months of bounding through the snow, Caliza is now completely fascinated by the birds and the squirrels that are making their appearance in our gardens this spring.

Visitors to the tasting room may notice that they receive a more vocal greeting upon arrival as Caliza gets accustomed to meeting new people. We look forward to introducing you to the newest member of the Heart & Hands crew!

Winery DogWhispers

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Pinot Noir

2008 Blanc de Noirs - $38.99Just before the holidays we released the �rst

vintage of the 2008 Blanc de Noirs – a new addition to our sparkling wine portfolio! Produced from 100% Pinot Noir, a Cham-pagne Clone, this sparkling wine was hand cra�ed in the traditional method with a primary fermentation in stainless steel and a secondary fermentation in the bottle. �is sparkler rested en tirage – on the lees – for ~ 5 years producing a rich, complex wine to enjoy on any occasion with friends and family!

2013 An Croí - $14.99An Croí (pronounced ON KREE) is a

dry rosé made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes. �e name means “�e Heart” in Irish.

�is beautiful dry rosé tempts the senses with delicate aromas of rose petals and strawberries, followed by hints of fresh raspberries on the palate, and a brisk, refreshing �nish. With only 73 cases made, this summer sipper is certain to disappear soon.

L a t e s t R e l e a s e s

2012 Brut Rosé$25.99

Delicate notes of strawber-ries and tart cherries tempt the nose, a rush of raspber-ries and pomegranates emerge on the palate, followed by a clean, crisp, �nish. Perfect accompani-ment for that special memory.

2011 Pinot Noir$20.99

A beautifully balanced Pinot Noir with classic �avors of dark cherries and hints of smoke on the nose. Rasper-ries and earthiness on the mid palate. Delicate yet �rm structure, �nishing with medium tannins.

Barrel ReservePinot Noir

2009 - $40.99Exotic nose, with �gs, currants, anise and violets. Firm, �eshy palate reveals dark cherries and ripe plums. Long �nish with just the right balance of fruit and �rm tannins.

2010 - $40.99Hints of currants, strawberries and rose petals tantalize the nose. Flavors of rasperries, plums, forest �oor and shitake mushrooms emerge on the mid-palate. A lingering, elegant �nish leaves you wanting more.

2011 Single VineyardPinot Noir

$31.99

Elaine’s VineyardAlluring bursts of deep cherries, tea, and cinnamon on the nose, followed by delectable ripeness on the palate, �nishing with medium-�rm tannins and a long, satisfying �nish.

Hobbit Hollow Vineyard

Rasperries and cherries on the nose, earthiness on the palate, followed by so� tannins on the �nish.

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Riesling

2012 Dry Riesling$20.99

Exotic aromas of pineapple, cardamom, and papaya are followed by a hint of slate. Bursts of tangerine and passion fruit emerge on the palate, followed by a snappy lime �nish.

2012 Riesling$17.99

Tropical notes of mango, kiwi, star fruit and guava entertain the nose. �e palate bursts with key lime, bosc pear, and tangerine with nuances of lavender and pineapple on the so� �nish.

2011 Berry SelectRiesling$68.99

A late harvest style wine cra�ed from individually hand selected Riesling berries a�ected by the "noble rot", botrytis. Hedonistic aromas of honey, salted caramel and butterscotch lure you to the glass; luscious bursts of apricot nectar on the palate.

L i b r a r y R e l e a s e s

Nutt Road Vineyard2010

A whi� of talcum powder gives way quickly to thirst-slaking white peach, yellow apple and melon rind �avors, all framed by a gentle �oral note on the �nish.

2011�is has snap and cut, with pippin apple, Key lime and slate notes allied to a taut frame. Jasmine and talc hints �ll in on the �nish. Has a mouthwatering feel.

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TS 90

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TS 88

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2011 RieslingFresh and pure, with a core of melon rind, green apple and green almond �avors that stretch out through the �nish.

Patrician Verona Vineyard2010

On the drier side, with a hint of talc giving way to green plum, green �g and bitter almond notes. �e stylish �nish lets a jasmine note echo. More grace than power, with nice length.

2011�is o�ers a bright, �oral, slightly high-toned edge, with red currant and Campari notes at the core, lined with lightly �rm wood spice accents. Carries through to the dried blood orange-tinged �nish.

*Tasting Notes and scores courtesy of Wine Spectator Magazine

DUE TO LIMITED QUANTITIES, PLEASE CALL THE WINERY TO

PURCHASE - 315-889-8500

$33.99 $33.99$33.99

$20.99

$29.99

The Claddagh Club is our wine club - an exten-sion of the Heart & Hands family! On a quar-terly basis, Claddagh club members receive a wine club shipment which includes our latest releases, early releases of new wines, and limit-ed production wines that are only available to wine club members.

This year is a particularly exciting year for our wine club, as we will finally be sharing our estate wines.

While some of our estate wines will be avail-able in our tasting room, we will also be offer-ing “micro-selections” from the estate - exclu-sively to wine club members. These wines of limited production quantities (10 - 25 cases each) will feature something unique from the vintage - a focus on a particular “clone” of pinot noir, a selection from a specific section of the vineyard.

The next Claddagh Club shipment will be released on Saturday, April 12th. Selections vary by membership but some of the wines in the release are the 2012 Elaine’s Vineyard Pinot Noir, the 2013 An Croi - Dry Rose, and the 2012 Brut Rose.

It is not too late to join and partake in the latest allocation! Simply Click Here to sign up!

Visitors to the tasting room this spring will notice some exciting additions to our tasting menus! If you love Pinot Noir or Riesling - there is now more to explore at Heart & Hands - through our Pinot Noir and Riesling speci�c �ights. Our current tasting �ights are as follows:

As the season progresses, we will feature di�erent wines on each �ight - allowing guests to explore how vine-yard locations, vintage di�erences, and winemaking techniques create unique aromas and �avors in the glass!

We will keep you updated with the latest wine �ight selections via updates to our website and social media pages!

Do you know someone who would be a good addition to the Heart & Hands Team?

We are seeking an individual with a passion for wine and hospitality for a part-time seasonal tasting room position this season! �e position would begin in May and run through September.

Some of the responsibilities include: - Conducting educational tastings for guests - Hosting o�-site tatings as needed- Assisting with tasting room events and wine club releases

�e right candidate is a wine lover who enjoys learning about the world of wine, and takes pleasure in sharing their passion for wine, and the Finger Lakes region with others!

Interested applicants should send their resume, and a brief note explaining why they think they would make a good addition to our team to:jobs@heartandhandswine.com

For more details, click here: H&H Tasting Room

Riesling + Flight:2013 An Croí - Dry Rose2010 Patrician Verona Vineyard Riesling2010 Nutt Road Vineyard Riesling2012 Dry Riesling2012 Riesling

Pinot Noir �ight:2013 An Croí - Dry Rose2011 Pinot Noir2011 Hobbit Hollow Vineyard Pinot Noir2011 Elaine’s Vineyard Pinot Noir2010 Barrel Reserve Pinot Noir

New in the Tast ing Room: In-Depth Wine F l ights!

Tasting Room Position

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Claddagh Club

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A Word of ThanksAs we embark on a new vintage, we hope that your new year is �lled with �ne wine, good food, laughter, and celebration. �ank you again for your continued support and patronage - you make it possible for us to live our dream, and we cannot thank you enough.

We look forward to seeing you this season! Cheers,

The Heart & Hands Team